Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

 Eliora's POV 

I forced my spine straight. “Mr. Donovan.”

His jaw ticked, but he didn’t say anything, just stared at me. I did my best to keep my face neutral, even if I was burning inside.

Why the hell is he in front of me? He has the guts to show his face after what he did? Of course, what else did I expect?

He hadn't said a word, and the tension between us was thick enough to cut through with a knife. Our eyes were locked, intense and unflinching. I didn’t back down from his intimidating gaze, and he didn’t either.

The familiar fragrance of his cologne brought back memories I didn’t want to remember—memories that did nothing but make my heart ache.

Elijah cleared his throat and stepped between us like a protective shield, causing Kian to finally shift his cold gaze toward him, as if only just noticing his presence.

Elijah extended his hand. “Elijah Banks,” he stated. “Eliora’s fiancé.”

The word "fiancé" seemed to echo in my ears for some reason. The tension that followed it was sharp and undeniable. But I didn’t miss the way Kian’s eyes dropped to the ring on my finger.

Something flashed in his expression—hurt? Anger? It vanished as quickly as it came.

The ring had never felt heavier.

“How fast you moved on,” he said, his gaze returning to my face, studying me like he wanted a reaction.

Thankfully, my voice came out calmly and my expression didn’t waver. “It’s been two years.”

A bitter smile tugged at his lips. “Two years you vanished without any explanation.”

“The divorce papers were clear enough to pass the message.”

“Divorce papers aren’t exactly a conversation—”

I cut him off. “That’s all you’ll get.” I glared hard at him.

Elijah pressed his shoulder to mine, his hand resting at my waist. “Mr. Donovan, I would appreciate—”

“This is between me and my wife,” Kian said coolly.

“Ex-wife,” I shot back.

Kian’s mouth curled up slowly. “Ex-wife? How sure are you?”

What the hell does he mean by that?

Whatever he means, I won’t stand here any longer and listen to his nonsense. I’ve had enough.

I turned to Elijah. “Babe, I think it’s time we get along with other guests. I think Mr. Donovan would like to do that as well,” I said with a smile.

Elijah took the cue. “Mr. Donovan, it was nice meeting you, but now we must run along.”

I didn’t wait for a response before walking away, but—

“Rora.” His fingers wrapped around my wrist.

My heart stopped.

Memories I thought were long buried resurfaced. He used to call me that, back when we were still married. Even though he didn’t actually love me, hearing him say my name like that used to send butterflies spiraling in my stomach.

But that was then.

Not now. Not anymore. He lost the right to make me feel that way.

Keeping my face neutral, I turned to him slowly. “Do you mind letting me go? There’s something called personal space, and I’d highly appreciate it if mine were respected, Mr. Donovan.”

His jaw tightened, but he said nothing and withdrew his hand.

He’s still not used to not getting what he wants.

I walked away with Elijah beside me. He turned back to say, “Have a good day, Mr. Donovan.”

Even though I didn’t look back, I could feel Kian’s eyes on me like an extra skin I didn’t want to acknowledge.

“The nerve of him!” I muttered as Elijah led me to the balcony for some much-needed fresh air.

Thank God the balcony was empty. I surely didn’t need to be the topic of tomorrow.

Elijah sighed and handed me a glass of champagne, which I gulped in one go. “That was more intense than I thought it would be.”

“It took all in me not to slap him across the face,” I sighed, closing my eyes and letting the cold breeze calm me. But it did little to nothing.

Seeing Kian again after two years of staying away had clearly not been enough. No matter how many times I told myself I was prepared to face him, it still didn’t stop the ache I had tried so hard to suppress. Seeing him reminded me that sometimes, time doesn’t heal wounds.

Elijah’s phone rang, dragging me out of my thoughts. “It’s the babysitter,” he said, catching my attention gently.

I took the phone from him, a small frown appearing on my face as I pressed it to my ear.

“Hello, Margaret. How is he?”

“Oh ma’am Eliora, Ezra won’t stop asking for his mom. I’ve tried everything to calm him down, but he keeps asking to see you,” Margaret rushed. I could hear the distress in her voice—and the cries of Ezra in the background.

I passed a worried look to Elijah, who raised a brow. I shook my head. “Margaret, please do everything you can to calm him down. I’ll be back soon.”

She agreed before I ended the call.

I stared at the screen for a second longer than necessary.

Elijah touched my arm gently. “Is Ezra okay?”

I nodded, even though my chest felt tight. “He’s just restless… missing me, that’s all.”

That wasn’t all. Margaret’s voice had sounded too strained. Ezra rarely ever cried like that unless something had triggered him.

I turned toward Elijah. “We should leave soon.”

But before he could respond, a new voice sliced through the moment.

“I take it you have a child now.”

My heart stopped.

But I turned to face him slowly.

Elijah turned too quickly. “You followed us?” His voice was sharp now, not the usual calm and collected tone he reserved for events.

But Kian didn’t answer him. His eyes were on me.

Only me. I could feel them.

“I always wondered why you disappeared the way you did,” Kian said, walking slowly into the moonlit balcony, hands tucked into his pockets. “Now I’m beginning to understand.”

I didn’t flinch. Didn’t blink.

“Whatever theory you’re cooking up in that head of yours,” I said coldly, “I suggest you let it go. You lost the right to wonder anything about me the day I walked away.”

“Walked away?” he repeated, like he was tasting the words. “No, sweetheart. You ran.”

“Enough,” Elijah growled. “This conversation is over.”

But Kian’s next words weren’t for him.

“Funny how fate works. Looks like I just became a major investor in your firm.”

My stomach dropped.

“What?”

He finally looked at Elijah. “Which means your little publishing empire now has me in the boardroom.”

Then he turned back to me, eyes dark. “Which means I’ll be seeing you… quite a lot, Rora.”

With a faint smirk on his lips, he added, “You can’t keep running forever.”

He walked away without waiting for a response.

I didn’t realize I was shaking until Elijah grabbed my hand—and even then, it wasn’t fear that filled me.

It was fury. Pure, familiar, dangerous fury.

And I knew right then, for better or worse…

Kian Donovan was officially back in my life.